Duplicating ribbon mechanism



June 3, 1930. s. YOSHIMURA DUPLICATING RIBBON MECHANISM f Filed Sept. 11, 1925 IN TIE/V76 Patented June 3, I930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SOTOO YOSHIMUBA, OF SHANGHAI, CHINA DUPLICATING RIBBON MECHANISM Application filed September Il, 1925, Serial No. 55,841, and in Japan septenibergll, 1924.

This invention relatesto a copying apparatus for typewriters, and more particularly to a machine for typing letters successively in duplicate, comprising an arrangement provided with copying ribbon reels and a copying ribbon guide to permit the copying ribbon to pass between the paper sheets.

The invention further comprises adevice for moving the ribbon automatically along a typewriting line by rolling up the copying ribbon. In order to typewrite any papers in duphcate simultaneously in a t pewriter car on paper, inserted between uplicate papers, has heretofore been employed, the said carbon paper being inserte between the papers each time'the papers are changed. Therefore, when typewriting many papers in duplicate successively, it is inconvenient to rev insert the carbon paper or a special, copying ribbon and to change the papers. The present invention is intended to avoid such inconveniences and its objects are as follows (1) To provide a duplicating ribbon which may be inserted between and moved transversely of the papers;

(2) To provide means formoving the duplicating ribbon simultaneously with the rotation o the platen,

(3) To space the ribbon from the paper to .prevent contact between the ribbon and a er. v P I n the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the copying ribbon guide, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the mounting for the copying ribbon and means for inserting the paper, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the support for the paper rolls and the arrangement for rolllng 4 up the copying ribbon.

The metallic ribbon guide shown in Fig. I

is arcuate in cross section and has along slit through which the ribbon passes. The portions adjacent the ends are wrapped with sheet metal (1) and are thicker than-the re-. maining portions thereof. Both ends are madeconcentric with the circumference of the platen and rest against the platen to contact smoothly therewith. In its supported position it rests between the ordinary ribbon and the platen and the copying ribbon is so supported, that each time the key is pressed, the type strikes the ordinary and copying ribbons at the same time. One sheet (3) of the papers is passed between the ordi- 5i nary ribbon and the copying ribbon and the other sheet (4) is passed between the co ying ribbon and the platen and thus the upl cate papers can be typewritten simultane ously. In this case the lower side of the copying ribbon is held in the roove (5) at the lower side of the ribbon gulde and, since the middle portions of the projecting ends of the ribbon guide are slightly thicker than the other portions, as above described, a clearance is rovided to permit the passage of a sheet 0 pa er between the platen and the copying rib on.

To support the ribbon guide in the above described position, the arms (6) (6') which are curved at their ends and extend forwardly to the front of the laten are provided, and into small, holes 7) suitably located in the arms, projections (8) (8) on the ends of the ribbon guide (Fig. 1 and Fig.

2) are inserted andfixed. In orderto wind the copying ribbon on one ribbon reel grad ually worm wheels 9 are mounted on both of the extended ends of the platen shaft or axle.

Gear wheels (10) on the two shafts (11) are geared to the worm wheel to rotate the ribbon reels (12) (12) on which the ribbon is wound (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). The ribbon reel 12 is mount-. ed freely on one of the said shafts but, if desired, may be secured by means of a pin (13) and thus the copying ribbon is arranged to be moved to the right or left (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). I I

In case it is necessary to change the direction of movement of the copying ribbon several times owing to the form of the type- .writer, thin steel guides (14) are used (Fig.

2). The original and duplicate papers (3) 96 and (4) are respectively inserted as usual to travel forwardly from the back of and underneath the platen'and between the platen and a pressure roller which presses the platen from underneath and rotates freely. These papers are fed. from rolls 3' 4' respec tivelg (Fig. 2, Fig. 3 (I hafts (15' pass through the rolls (3) (4') and the an of the said shafts are inserted into ooves (17) (17') (17") 17 provide in the rear of the support (16), (Fig 1). The shafts and the grooves are respectively of such size that the shafts can rotate freely in the said grooves. Then,

as the papers are inserted between the platen and the pressure roller which presses the platen from underneath the papers are drawn orwardly with the rotation of the platen. The support 16 is arranged so as to move to the right and left by means of wheels 18) (18') fixed thereto and riding ,on a rail (19) secured in'the rear of the typewriter. To the said support, arms (20) are connected at each end 0 the carriage, the said arms mov ing with the carriage. In this case in order to facilitate movement toward the left, the rail is slightly inclined towards the right end. Therefore, in order to connect the arms to the support, links (21) are arranged so as to allow the support to move vertically. The inclination of the rail aids the force of the spring, which pulls the carriage and thus even comparatively heavy" rolled papers can move together with the carriage without any difliculty.

When typewriting of one document has been made, the rolled paper may be cut off. For this purpose a cutting apparatus (22) made of steel, mounted on the arms (6) (6' which support the ribbon holder is provided,

and the paper can be out ed at any time by being pulled forward.

It is believed in view of the foregoing 'description that a further detailed description of the invention is unnecessary. Likewise it is believed that the advantages of the invention will be readily apparent.

Having thus fully described the invention what is newand desired to be secured by Let ters Patent is A typewritin mechanism of the class comprising in combination, a typewriter carriage, a platen having an extension axle, a ribbon guide, said guide being arcuate in the cross section and formed. to rest concentrically with respect to said platen and extending along the printing line of the platen, means to direct the ribbon along this line, a pair of arms on the typewriter frame for supporting said guide, means on said guide for detachably securing said guide to said arms, spacing means on said aide to space the ribbon from said platen, ri bon reels and means to drive said reels com rising duplicate sets of worm gears attache at each end of the extension axle of the platen.

- In testimony whereof I hereto ailix my signature.

S. YOSHIMURA. 

